Saquon Barkley felt like he would be a member of the New York Giants for his entire career.
After getting drafted in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Barkley cemented himself as one of the most dangerous weapons in the NFL — and despite the ups and downs of the organization’s success — he never complained and felt like one of the team’s core leaders.
Barkley, 27, played last season on an adjusted franchise tag that netted him $10.1 million after the two sides failed to reach an agreement on a long-term deal. The Giants eventually elected against using the tag again this year at $12.1 million, which allowed him to hit free agency.
Yet still, many believed the New York Giants would find a way to reach a long-term deal with Saquon Barkley.
He had repeatedly expressed his desire to be a “Giant for life,” but Barkley turned down an offer last season that would have guaranteed him approximately $23 million, a source told ESPN.
The two-time Pro Bowl running back rushed for just 962 yards and six touchdowns for the Giants last season, missing three games with a high-ankle sprain suffered in a Week 2 win over the Arizona Cardinals
Saquon Barkley decided to test the free agent market and had interest from plenty of teams according to multiple reports.
But earlier this month, Barkley reached an agreement with the Giants divisional rival. He inked a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles that could be worth up to $46.75 million and includes $26 million fully guaranteed at signing, according to ESPN Insider Adam Schefter.
Barkley now beats the franchise tag number and has a maximum average-per-year salary of $15.833M, which would be the second-highest for an RB in NFL History.
It’s reasonable for New York Giants fans to be angry with Barkley’s decision to join one of their biggest rivals, but the NFL is ultimately a business and these things happen.
Apparently a few Giants fans took their anger with the move way too far.
Saquon Barkley Says His Family Received Death Threats After Signing With Philadelphia Eagles
Whenever a player leaves for another team in free agency there’s always a segment of fans that just take things way too far.
During a recent appearance on the Kelce brother’s “New Heights” podcast, former New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley opened up about some of the threats he received from New Yorkers after he signed with the Eagles.
I get fans being upset about me going to Philly. First of all, the Giants didn’t even offer me. … Honestly if fans wouldn’t be mad that I went from New York to Philly that means I did nothing when I was in New York. That means I made an impact at some point, that’s the reason why fans were so torn apart about it. I see my jersey getting burned, my family’s getting threats, like my house — I see that part of it.
He signed with the Eagles on a three-year, $37.5 million deal that has head coach Nick Sirianni looking forward to what the team’s offense can look like in 2024 and beyond.
“I’m really excited about Saquon and the things that he can do,” Sirianni said, via NFL.com. “He’s going to bring an element to our offense and to our team. … we have seen him up close and personal, we just know how good of a football player he is.”
Saquon Barkley leaves the Big Apple a two-time Pro Bowler and three-time 1,000-yard rusher after being drafted second overall in 2018. He’ll now look to show the Giants exactly what they’ll be missing in both of their meetings next year.
The move makes the Eagles look like one of the most dangerous offenses in the NFL on paper. It will be interesting if it translates to on-field success.